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From John Simpson
Link back to LEGSreunited HOME page » Reunion Photos Index » 2005 Reunion - Last Detention » From John Simpson
2005-12-014
Image 27 of 71
Sentimental thoughts from Stephen Ford
Stephen Ford.

Hi John,

Just a few sentimental thoughts on today.

Well, wasn't it great? I think a big round of applause should go to the
staff and especially to Barbara for a really magnificent, well-organised
(but not over-organised) event.

I don't think I have seen any from the small group who were present from my
year (1966 U6S) since I left, so I guess we have all put on weight/grown
up/lost our hair/started to show the wrinkles - but when you consider that
we are now more than three times our age then, I suppose that's not
surprising.

One of the surprises to me was how many of our age have now either retired
or at least finished our first career, and started doing the things we
always really wanted to do instead. Wonder how the new pension proposals are
going to fit in when current 18 year olds want to do the same. Is it a
brain-dead workaholics' charter?

During our wander down memory lane, we got talking about the teachers. When
you come to think of it they were a great bunch. (Don't know whether they
would reciprocate the feelings!).

Who remembers what fear and trepidation Fras instilled into first formers?
(and second and third...) But in 4A he taught us maths. As this was the
O-level year he set us a past paper to attempt for homework at the first
lesson - while we were still terrified of him. Consequently we all ploughed
through the entire (3-hour?) paper, and he was (to use a phrase unknown
then) gobsmacked - and thereafter he seemed to regard us as beyond reproach,
and was actually an approachable chap who taught the subject very well.

Then what about Clive Penman, teaching us music in the old infamous Hut A?
Is it possible that any of us left those lessons without being enthused
about music we all thought we loathed before? I remember him coming to take
the place of Harold Alton who died during our first year (and who had been
at LEGS since time immoral - is that the right word?) Well on the first day
Clive announced "In my previous school I had a reputation of being quite
mad, and I intend to keep it up here." He had a very solemn and intense way
of speaking, and we didn't really know whether to burst out laughing, or to
worry that he was some sort of maniac!

Or Doc Burrow who (though by no means a creationist) freely informed us that
while we must learn about the particular view of evolution reflected in the
syllabus, we should not believe it, since it was a load of complete nonsense
long since overtaken by more recent research.

Then there was Bob Pritchard and his "twick question"?!

Who still remembers the "Babar" songs that we learnt in French with Pip
Wright? or REDPAN verbs? Or PADOB and PEAS? (Particle Agrees with Direct
Object Before the verb, and Particle of Etre verbs Agrees with the Subject)
- OK, OK, I know I'm a sad-o! But when eventually I crossed the channel, I
discovered that it worked. They understood. (Well, the French did anyway -
not so sure about the Germans, Spaniards, Turks and various others)!

So, G.D.B.Gray (spelt that way) MA, and company - some sadly no longer with
us now - take a bow. You literally commanded our respect, and I think
deserved it. With hindsight, if not whole-heartedly at the time - we do
appreciate what you did for us. And it wasn't simply populating our
brain-cells with data. It was also forming lifetime habits of thought and
character. Hope the present pupils will have equally fond memories of the
present day staff in 39 years time!

I was sorry not to see more of my old mates, but that's not criticism - just
regret.

Every good wish,
Stephen
Photo reference: 2005-12-014